[False or factional teachers coming to Corinth expected to be supported by the church according to the usual custom, but were hampered by the example of Paul, who had taken nothing for his services. To justify themselves and to discredit Paul, some of them appear to have gone so far as to deny Paul'... [ Continue Reading ]
If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. [An argumentum ad hominem. Whatever Paul might be in the estimation of Judaizers and enemies, he must still be held as an apostle by those who owed their spiritual life to him, for if he... [ Continue Reading ]
My defence to them that examine me is this. [This verse refers to what precedes it. It means that when called to defend his apostleship, Paul would point to the presence of a church of his established in Corinth as his answer. A similar answer had satisfied the other apostles (Galatians 2:6-10) Thus... [ Continue Reading ]
Have we no right to eat and to drink? [are we not entitled to be fed by the church?]... [ Continue Reading ]
Have we no right to lead about [in our constant journeyings] _a wife that is a believer_ [i. e., a lawful wife; it was unlawful to marry an unbeliever-- 2 Corinthians 6:14-16], _even as the rest of the apostles_ [this passage creates a fair presumption that at least the majority of the apostles were... [ Continue Reading ]
Or I only and Barnabas [Though not one of the twelve, he is called an apostle (Acts 14:14), for he was a messenger or apostle of the Holy Spirit, and of the church at Antioch (Acts 13:2) and was associated with Paul (Galatians 2:9). His name was illustrious enough at Corinth to give countenance to P... [ Continue Reading ]
What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [In the East, vine-dressers and shepherds are still thus paid in kind. Work without wages would foster rascality, and it is theref... [ Continue Reading ]
Do I speak these things after the manner of men? or saith not the law also the same? [Paul asks these two questions to show that while he has appealed to human authority, he has also divine authority for the principle which he asserts.]... [ Continue Reading ]
For it is written in the law of Moses [Deuteronomy 25:4], _Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn_. [Grain in the East has never been threshed by machinery. Though flails are used, it is usually threshed out by oxen. These are driven over it to tramp out the grain, and they somet... [ Continue Reading ]
or saith he it assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking. [Those fond of carping and caviling have attempted to use this passage to prove that Paul asserts that God does not care for... [ Continue Reading ]
If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? [What was earthly support in comparison with the riches of the gospel? If Paul had demanded his full carnal recompense, it would have been a meager compensation for blessings and benefits which can never... [ Continue Reading ]
If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. [Since Paul had left Corinth, other teachers had been supported by the church, and this stopped them from denying Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple [the offerings, etc.], _and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar?_ [Numbers 18:8-13; Deuteronomy 8:1. Sixth argument: Christ himself ordained that ministers should be supported by those... [ Continue Reading ]
Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel. [Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7. This precept was all which Paul needed to urge. He no doubt elaborated this argument that the Corinthians might be fully convinced that he was perfectly aware of his rights at the tim... [ Continue Reading ]
But I have used none of these things [i. e., these rights]: _and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case_ [Paul had a right to receive wages for his labor, and this right was guaranteed both by the customs of the people and the law of Moses; he also had a right to some recompense... [ Continue Reading ]
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me. [He was commanded to preach the gospel. He could not glory therefore in doing it, for he did not do it of his own free will or choice (however cheerfully and willingly he might do i... [ Continue Reading ]
What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel. [He found his reward in the happiness of preaching the gospel without charge, and in the feeling that as a steward he had not used his privileges to the... [ Continue Reading ]
For though I was free from all men [and therefore had a right to demand wages of them and ignore their prejudices], _I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more_. [Here was yet another joy which he found in preaching a free gospel. His spirit of self-sacrifice won the confidenc... [ Continue Reading ]
And to the Jews I became as a Jew [not a Jew, but like one], _that I might gain Jews_ [Paul observed the Jewish distinction as to meat (1 Corinthians 8:13); and performed their rites as to vows (Acts 21:26); and honored their feasts (Acts 20:16); and classed himself among their Pharisees (Acts 23:6)... [ Continue Reading ]
to them that are without law [pagans and Gentiles-- Romans 2:12], _as without law_ [Romans 6:14. He did not seek to enforce the laws of Moses among the Gentiles, as did the Jews, and he refrained from insulting heathens in their beliefs (Acts 19:37), and dealt gently with their prejudices-- Acts 17:... [ Continue Reading ]
To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak [The preceding chapter is the best comment on this passage. Paul was uniformly self-sacrificing and patient with those who were overscrupulous]: _I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some_. [With untiring zeal for the s... [ Continue Reading ]
And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof. [He made every sacrifice for the success of the gospel, that he might share with other successful apostles and evangelists in its triumphs and blessings (John 4:36). He recommends to others a like spirit of abstinence... [ Continue Reading ]
Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? [Philippians 3:12-14] _Even so run; that ye may attain_. [In the Greek contests there was but one prize for each group of contestants, and that was awarded to the winner. But the Christian race is not competitive: each ma... [ Continue Reading ]
And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. [As Paul denied himself that the gospel might not be hindered, so each athlete, whether he intended to run, wrestle or fight, pursued a course of training and abstinence that was painful, protracted and severe, in order... [ Continue Reading ]
I therefore [realizing the value of that for which I contend] _so run, as not uncertainly_ [without doubt or hesitation. Paul felt sure of the course which led to the goal, and certain as to the reward which he would attain when the race was over-- 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:8]; _so fight I, as not... [ Continue Reading ]
but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage [The body, being, as it is in part, the seat and organ of sin, has become the Biblical term to express our whole sinful nature (Romans 8:13). Paul found in this old sinful man with its corrupt affections an ever-present antagonist. He ran no uncertain... [ Continue Reading ]